People have to stop thinking about Open Source as if it was an end game. It is just a tool. Like any tool it is useful was applied to the right job. Applying fundamentalist religious thinking to Open Source is just silly. RepRap is a beautiful thing but all of those new Open Source 3D printers at Maker Faire? They are not likely to survive as businesses. Perhaps a couple will as niche products, but if any manage to succeed, they will face the same challenges as Makerbot.

The answer is to evolve the notion of what sharing is and not be so radical in our thinking. What good is it if Makerbot stuck to fundamentalist Open Source dogma but was out of business in 18 months? The community needs to work together to help figure out these new models.

Interesting that those Smart kids from MIT who just launched FormLabs are closed and even used closed material – what are they teaching them at MIT? Hah.

In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens’ educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program.